The Official Blog of the Gwinnett Braves, Triple-A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.

Medlen Set To Start For Gwinnett Saturday

Photo courtesy of Melinda Pease

The opener of a four-game home-and-home series between the top two teams in the International League South Division went to second-place Charlotte on Friday night at Coolray Field. The Knights put up 10 runs on the strength of three home runs to defeat the South-leading Gwinnett Braves, 10-3. Charlotte’s win trimmed the G-Braves’ lead in the division to 1.5 games.

Starter Jair Jurrjens (L, 3-3) surrendered 10 runs, six earned, on 12 hits in a losing effort. Former IL MVP Dan Johnson blasted solo home runs off Jurrjens in the third and fifth innings, and Hector Gimenez homered as well in the fifth against the G-Braves’ right-hander.

The G-Braves jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Tyler Pastornicky singled in his first plate appearance with Gwinnett, took second on a single by Stefan Gartrell, stole third and scored on an RBI single by Felix Pie.

The Atlanta Braves want to turn Kris Medlen into a starting pitcher, so they have reassigned the big leaguer to Triple-A Gwinnett to stretch him out. The right-hander has been with the Braves since the 2009 season as a middle reliever and an occasional spot-starter. In fact, during the 2010 season Medlen started 14 games for Atlanta and registered a 6-2 record with a 3.68 ERA. The Braves are hoping that the righty can continue that success over the course of an entire Major League season.

This season with the Atlanta Braves, Medlen is 1-1 with a 3.49 ERA amidst 28.1 innings of work. The righty has surrendered 11 runs on 27 hits while he has struck out 17 batters while walking just seven. Since it’s just his first start the G-Braves will be very cautious with him. Medlen is predicted to throw either four innings or 60 pitches, whichever happens first.

Saturday, June 2 Starting Line-up from Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Georgia:

The International League South-leading Gwinnett Braves (32-23) conclude their 10-game homestand on Saturday in the series finale against the Charlotte Knights (31-25). Right-hander Kris Medlen (0-0, 0.00) will make his first start since being optioned to Gwinnett by Atlanta. He’ll be opposed by Charlotte right-hander Terry Doyle (4-3, 3.05). First pitch at Coolray Field is scheduled for 7:05 PM. The game will be broadcast on radio on WDUN 550 AM and 102.9 FM with Tony Schiavone calling play-by-play.

The first 2,000 fans attending Saturday night’s game will receive a Chopper Coin Bank presented by Delta Community Credit Union. Chopper and the G-Braves will also celebrate a belated “Groundhogs Day” at Coolray Field. Tickets for all Gwinnett Braves home games are on sale now at the Coolray Field Box Office. Call (678) 277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com for more information.

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